The scale of farms you're imagining of all died in the S&L crisis in the 80's.

The mathematical average family farm today is pushing 450 acres, but I know from working for the USDA that figure is VERY bimodal. You've got a LOT of quote-unquote farms that are half-quarter sections (80 acres), and likewise a LOT of ACTUAL family farms that are plowing 2-3 full sections (1000+ acres).

The quote-unquote farms are your hobby ranch operations; horses, sheep, llamas & alpacas, etc. They are farms only insofar as taxes are concerned. Often they're just KHOMA projects. Hobby vineyards and orchards, the sort that make most of their money hosting weddings also fall into this area.

The scale of farms you're imagining of all died in the S&L crisis in the 80's.

The mathematical average family farm today is pushing 450 acres, but I know from working for the USDA that figure is VERY bimodal. You've got a LOT of quote-unquote farms that are half-quarter sections (80 acres), and likewise a LOT of ACTUAL family farms that are plowing 2-3 full sections (1000+ acres).

The quote-unquote farms are your hobby ranch operations; horses, sheep, llamas & alpacas, etc. They are farms only insofar as taxes are concerned. Often they're just KHOMA projects.